San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-16
LOVER AND FRIEND.

OF some great sorrow that awaited his awak-
ening. II hope she will be happy"
As he left the stile, it began to rain in a
feeble, half-hearted way, and before he
reached the first line of scattered houses,
which lay upon the confines of the town, it
poured down heavily. But he was only
dimly conscious of the physical discomfort
though he was drenched TO the skin, and
walked on, noting nothing.
SIS that you, Mr.. BrOOkesT' called out a
voice from the porch of one Of the houses,
as he passed it. Jack turned, and saw the
fiery tip of a cigar cleaning through the
win.
YES" he answered; ''who is it? Mr., Sell
wynGr",, ,,,., oo,,o +, Co., . ,,,,,,,,.. tn,
your want to ask question"
Jack obeyed the invitation, and Mr.. Sell
wynn led the way into room on the ground
floor. A heavy desk, Uttered with books
and papers, was in the window niche, illu-
minated by the bright light of covered
reading lamp, which left the rest of the room
In heavy shadow, save for circle of light
upon the ceiling.
us that your writng?' asked Mr.. Selwyn,
throwing scrap of paper across the desk.
Jack took it listlessly. It was check on
the firm of Parton & Co., payable to himself
and bearing his signature, John BrOOkes"
"WhO presented itr' aaked Jack.
"Young Morton"
"Yes," answered, Jack; sits all right. It's
my writing" 1t seemed TO him as he said
the words less as if he spoke them hurriedly
than as If they were spoken by some inyisi-
bic third party.
"All right" said Mr.. Selwyn. "You don't
usually draw your checks on blank paper,
III 81. h.. 81.
ture looking queer. thought I'd ask, any
way"
you cashed it, Isuppose?" Again Jacks
voice sounded strange in his own ears, and
he was glad that his face was shaded from
the bankers eyes.
young Green cashed it. If you'll excuse
me for advising you, wouldn't draw checks
on blank paper. It's bad plan. FOrgery's
easy enough already, and that just makes
child's play of it."
'I'll remember" said Jack. Goodnight"
whats your hurryP" asked the banker.
"Sit down and have cigar. No? It's rain
Ing cats and dogs. You'd better take an
umbrella. There are some in the hall. You
can bring it over tomorrow TO the bank.
He thrust one into Jacks passive hands,
and the young fellow plunged out of the
porch into the rain.
Don't you think it would be better if you
opened itP' inquired Mr.. Selwyn, with
suave satire. But Jack made no reply, and
when the banker reached the door his foot
steps were already dying in the distance.
Although Jacks destination was Morton's
lodging, scarce distant from the bankers
house a mile, and though he started at a
pace which would have covered the ground
In ten minutes, it was fully an hour later
when he appeared before his friend, his gar
ments streaming with rain, his face pallid,
and the forgotten umbrella still folded in
his hand. Abrupt as was his entrance into
Morton's sitting-roOm, the noise he made
failed to wake its occupant from the reverie
In which he was plunged. The room was
wildly dis0rdered; tables, chairs, and floor
were Uttered with books, papers, and arti
cles Of apparel, and half-packed portman-
teau lay beside its owner on the floor. The
door, escaping from Jacks hand, closed
with crash, and Morton, sprnging 10 his feet,
glared at him like a man newly aroused from
heavy sleep. jacks pallor and wildness
Of expression were reflected in his own face
as In mirror. With strong effort he adj
vanced to meet his visitor with outstretched
hand.
"Why, JackI What on earth"
OJdnu Oh Sdlu JdCh, DOH IOucu hci
The look Of wild amazement and sorrow
his face had worn till then had vanished,
and given place to scorn and loathins. Nor
ton, with one quick glance at him, fell back
into his seat, and covered his face with his
hands. There was such shame and fear in
the action as made 1t confession whose
eloquence words could not have touched.
"0h, Mortonr' Jack broke out in pity as
sudden as his scorn had been. "Why, why,
why didn't you come to NET"
II wish had" moaned Morton. II wish
to God hadp'
you must go away" said Jack. 'YOu
must 60 at once. Take such things as you
want, and send for the rest later on. You
can catch the mail. Parton knows nothing
Of it yet, and never shall il can help it I'll
do that much for you. But If any other man
bad done 1t, II 1t had been my own brother,